Labour ‘bid to smear’ Army chief who speaks for troops

Labour was accused of using "fear and smear" to attack the chief of the Army today as he again pleaded for more equipment for Afghanistan.

The Tories hit out after it was claimed that Labour MPs were trying to expose how much public money was spent by General Sir Richard Dannatt on wining and dining guests at his official residence in Kensington Palace.

The Freedom of Information requests have been tabled to unearth the "entertainment" costs incurred by the Head of the Army just days before he quits later this month. The row took place as Gen Dannatt again underlined his calls for more resources for troops, claiming that better surveillance equipment was vital to targeting the Taliban laying roadside bombs.

Suspicions that Labour is waging a behind-the-scenes briefing war against the Military Cross-winning general were fuelled when it emerged that one unnamed defence minister had recently described Sir Richard as a "complete bastard". Labour researchers are believed to have submitted the FoI requests for details of the cost of the general's business entertaining at his apartment, the former home of the Princess of Wales.

Sir Richard came under attack last year when it was revealed that he was living in the Kensington home at a time when soldiers were complaining about their own dilapidated accommodation.

Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox said: "Labour has now become the government of fear and smear. Whilst suppressing reports of their own incompetence, they attempt to undermine the reputation of one of our most distinguished generals.

"At a time when our soldiers are dying in Afghanistan, ministers spend their time in puerile personality politics.

"General Dannatt is a man of honour and integrity who leads from the front. His Labour detractors are squalid and cowardly, undermining from the shadows."

The Tories called on the Prime Minister to investigate the smear allegations and to get a grip on any ministers briefing against military chiefs.

Former Chief of the Defence Staff Lord Guthrie said: "This is ghastly spin, the sort of behaviour you expect from the gutter. Richard Dannatt is beyond reproach. This is beneath contempt."

A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman today told the Standard: "There is no smear campaign against Sir Richard within the MoD."

Meanwhile Britons were warned to expect more troop deaths in Afghanistan on the eve of the elections.

Colonel Stuart Tootal, former commander of 3 Para, said it was a "sad inevitability" that there would be more losses.

He urged the Government to ensure there was a "coherent and properly resourced strategy".

His warning came after tributes were paid to two soldiers who died trying to save an injured friend and yet more of the 204 British troops killed since operations began in Afghanistan in 2001 were flown home.

Yesterday eight people, including Nato staff, were killed in a suicide bomb attack on a convoy near a military base in Kabul. Dozens more were injured.